KPA NEWS CONTENT SERVICE
Under a 2010 order from Kentucky Insurance Commissioner
Sharon P. Clark, all insurers selling in the state's individual health
insurance market must offer an annual open enrollment period in January
for Kentuckians under age 19.
The annual open enrollment was ordered for each January beginning in
2011 and ending in 2013. As part of federal health reform, insurers will
not be allowed to deny coverage, regardless of health status, in 2014.
Clark took the action after insurers notified the Department of
Insurance in 2010 that they planned to cease writing policies on Sept.
23 of that year, the date the federal Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act prohibited companies offering these policies from denying
coverage because of an applicant’s pre-existing health condition. At
that time, Clark said she was concerned that all Kentucky children who
needed a “child-only” policy, even those who were healthy, would have to
turn to Kentucky Access, the state’s high-risk pool, placing extra
demands on that program.
“This was our way of protecting these young Kentuckians while providing a
level playing field for insurers,” Clark said. “We urge all consumers
needing this coverage to take advantage of this window of opportunity.”
A list of health insurers required to offer these policies is available at http://insurance.ky.gov.
